Splendid Table, The

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Summary: Fabulous Bolognese recipies.
Review: A beautiful book both to read and to relish. Rare recipies from Emiligia-Romagna not generally found in traditional Italian cookbooks. A must for anyone to loves rich, savory recipies for tortellini, tagliatelle and lasagna. Rare, hard to find recipies, like pumpkin/squash tortellini, and cinnamon spiced spaghetti are also included. Buonissimo!

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Summary: A favorite cookbook
Review: Every recipe I've tried from this cookbook is a winner. The Christmas pasta with sugar, almonds and orange zest, topped by a capon has become an annual tradition in our family. Whenever cooking from it, I constantly find myself getting lost in the anecdotes and historical background. In fact, this book actually helped direct us when planning our gastronomical tour of northern Italy.

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Summary: A winner from cover to cover!
Review: I first stumbled upon this book in the public library, and after checking it out and trying it out, I knew I had to own it. Although I'm an adventuresome cook, risotto had always had me a little intimidated. Thanks to "Splendid Table" I not only make a superb risotto, but I find it easy to embellish or modify that and other recipes in the book. This book is also a truly interesting read. The anecdotal information in each chapter adds depth and interest to the regional dishes. This book has become one of my all-time favorites.

Rating:
Summary: A winner from cover to cover!
Review: I first stumbled upon this book in the public library, and after checking it out and trying it out, I knew I had to own it. Although I'm an adventuresome cook, risotto had always had me a little intimidated. Thanks to "Splendid Table" I not only make a superb risotto, but I find it easy to embellish or modify that and other recipes in the book. This book is also a truly interesting read. The anecdotal information in each chapter adds depth and interest to the regional dishes. This book has become one of my all-time favorites.

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Summary: A Very SPLENDID Cookbook!
Review: I have had this book since just after it was published, and it remains my authority on northern Italian cuisine. Lynne Rossetto Kasper has compiled an amazing quantity of quality recipes from the Emilia-Romagna region. As the Italian Food Host @ BellaOnline, and a collector of over 100 Italian cookbooks I would highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates northern Italian cuisine. Ms. Rossetto adds a little comentary on each recipe's history that is very interesting and her food photograph's are stunning. My only complaint about this book is that there are not more of these glorious photographs!

Rating:
Summary: A Very SPLENDID Cookbook!
Review: I have had this book since just after it was published, and it remains my authority on northern Italian cuisine. Lynne Rossetto Kasper has compiled an amazing quantity of quality recipes from the Emilia-Romagna region. As the Italian Food Host @ BellaOnline, and a collector of over 100 Italian cookbooks I would highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates northern Italian cuisine. Ms. Rossetto adds a little comentary on each recipe's history that is very interesting and her food photograph's are stunning. My only complaint about this book is that there are not more of these glorious photographs!

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Summary: Great read, but who wants overcomplicated peasant food?
Review: I loved reading this book--the author is clearly passionate about food. I learned a lot from her explanations of various techniques. The recipes, however, take hours and hours to make, and don't look or taste like it. If I'm going to spend four hours on a Bolognese sauce, I don't want it to look and taste like the Hamburger Helper my college roommate used to eat when she was too drunk to know better. This book offers complicated recipes for very simple cuisine.

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Summary: Worthy of your kitchen and your coffee table
Review: I own over a dozen Italian cookbooks, and this is by far my favorite. At the minimum, every recipe I have made from this book has been very good. Most are much better. If you do not want a regional cookbook, try Marcella Hazan, the Julia Childs of Italian Cuisine. But buy this one too. Your friends and neighbors will thanks you.

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Summary: Believe the hype!
Review: I own over a dozen Italian cookbooks, and this is by far my favorite. At the minimum, every recipe I have made from this book has been very good. Most are much better. If you do not want a regional cookbook, try Marcella Hazan, the Julia Childs of Italian Cuisine. But buy this one too. Your friends and neighbors will thanks you.

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Summary: My favorite source for stupendous dinner parties
Review: I've owned this book since it first came out in 1992, and it occupies a special place in my cooking library -- eye-level shelf for easy reach. The salad of tart greens with prosciutto and warm balsamic dressing has been my first course for many outstanding dinner parties, including several on New Year's Eve. Other particular favorites - the lamb, garlic & potato roast, maccheroni with baked grilled vegetables, torta barozzi, and chestnut ricotta cheesecake. Ms. Kasper's outstanding knowledge of this regional Italian cuisine is equally matched by her understanding of how a home chef times and assembles a multi-course meal. I'm now ordering her new book, The Italian Country Table, and hope to be just as impressed.